California

Decades of public education, advocacy and political leadership on marriage equality in California led to the California Supreme Court ruling in May 2008 on In Re: Marriage Cases to uphold the freedom to marry.  In subsequent months, an estimated 18,000 gay couples were married in virtually every county of the state. Unfortunately, Proposition 8,a constitutional amendment designed to supersede the court, narrowly passed in the November 2008 election and gay couples can no longer marry in California. Work is already underway to restore the freedom to marry in California and overturn Prop 8.

Status: Broad Domestic Partnership, Anti-Marriage Constitutional Amendment

Groups Actively Working on Marriage

Equality California: the largest LGBT advocacy organization in California 

Let California Ring: a public education campaign to open hearts and minds about the freedom to marry in California

Marriage Equality U.S.A (MEUSA): a grassroots organization based in CA working for federal and state marriage equality

Courage Campaign: an online organizing network that empowers grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change in California

California Faith for Equality: a group bringing together clergy and lay leaders throughout California who support equality for LGBT people

Blog Posts Related to California

Marriage equality, revisited: Two years after Proposition 8, California sees changing opinions

If a vote similar to Proposition 8 upholding a ban on the freedom to marry were held tomorrow, a majority of Californians say they would cast ballots in favor of allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, according to a survey released last week.

Time will solve marriage debate

The Record editorial board writes about a poll showing that a majority of California voters favor marriage for lesbian and gay couples and what it means for the future of marriage equality.

1 in 4 Californians have grown more supportive of gay rights, survey finds

One in four Californians have become more supportive of gay rights over the last five years, compared with 8% who said they had become more opposed, according to a survey released Wednesday.

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Resources Related to California

Proposition 8: Who gave in the gay marriage battle?

A database and breakdown of contributions to campaigns from California's Proposition 8.

The World After Proposition 8: A Global Survey of the Right to Marry

An examination of the May 2008 and 2009 California Supreme Court decisions and a survey of the countries that presently allow marriage for same-sex couples.

How an Amicus Brief Helped Organize the Asian American Community to Support Marriage Equality

Democratizing the Courts: How an Amicus Brief Helped Organize the Asian American Community to Support Marriage Equality

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